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Misting experiment

A project log for Apartment ventilation system

The 25 year battle to get fresh air in tiny apartments

lion-mclionheadlion mclionhead 07/01/2021 at 21:350 Comments

This thing does reduce a lion's temperature, when placed right next to an arm.  It's based on early 2000's MEMS investments, a much more efficient solution than a pump with atomizer.  The internet warned it doesn't last long.  If the water isn't distilled, the MEMs atomizer clogs up quickly.  If it runs dry, the MEMS atomizer burns out.  Despite this danger of overheating, it does have a backflow of air to pressurize the tank.  Instead of sensing the water level, it relies on a 5 minute timer to shut it off.

It runs for around 7 minutes per tank.  It doesn't seem to leak when it's off.  Only a matter of time before the seals start leaking.  There's a high voltage, alternating current driving the atomizer.  A better solution would have a filter & external hose.  At least it's a starting point for a 3D printed mister using multiple atomizers.

MEMS atomizers seem to have appeared in 2009, near the end of the MEMS boom.  MEMS were the self driving cars of generation X.  They continued evolving into the vaping boom around 2015.  The ideal application was short term use specifically with expensive purpose built fluids.  Along with the essential odor, nicotine or whatever, the fluid could be guaranteed to be free of contaminants so the damn thing wouldn't clog up.

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